Northern Ireland could be declared to be experiencing a heatwave on Saturday if temperatures at Killowen in County Down exceed 25C for a third consecutive day. The Met Office requires the threshold to be recorded at the same weather station for at least three days in a row.

Temperatures above 25C have been recorded across the region every day since Tuesday, but not at a single location. On Thursday and Friday, Killowen saw highs of 27.4C and over 25C respectively. Other warm spots included Murlough in County Down at 25.8C and Derrylin in County Fermanagh at 25.1C.

Met Office forecaster Jonathan Vautrey said Saturday may bring more cloud and a trivial amount of rain in the morning due to a weak frontal system, but it should remain largely dry and sunny. Temperatures could again reach 25C or 26C in the south-east. Sunday is expected to be a fine day with sunshine, and highs of 25C to 26C shifting to western areas.

The warm spell has drawn visitors to outdoor attractions. Richard Fee, general manager at The Lake Kilrea waterpark in County Londonderry, said the recent good weather had made the venue very busy. He noted that visitor numbers were usually lower in early July because families take holidays, but the sunshine had brought crowds. Visitors have come from Donegal, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Belfast and Londonderry.

The waterpark is planning for the Twelfth of July demonstration taking place in Kilrea. Mr Fee said they had adjusted logistics for the event but will remain open and are offering special deals. The site has also hosted international tourists from Spain, the United States and Canada in recent weeks.

Warm conditions are forecast to persist across Northern Ireland until at least the middle of next week, with the Met Office predicting temperatures in the mid-20s.